Pilot dies following helicopter crash near Creston
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: July 24, 2009 8:51 AM
A student pilot has died after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a river in the East Kootenay region of southern B.C Wednesday afternoon, police said.
The 35-year-old Kelowna resident was the sole occupant found inside of the wreckage of the Robinson R-44 helicopter by search and rescue workers.
RCMP Victim Services have been in contact with the pilot's family. No names are being released at this time.
RCMP and local ground search and rescue crews worked with an Armed Forces aircraft and civilian helicopters in an effort to locate the helicopter.
At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Creston RCMP were advised by a representative of a flight school located in West Creston that one of their students was on a solo flight and was overdue. Shortly thereafter, a citizen reported a possible crash in the Kootenay River located between Kootenay Lake and Duck Lake in the Creston Valley. Debris and air bubbles were observed at the reported crash site.
The crash site is located in an area of swamps, dense brush and numerous small waterways.
v2
